Question: I am a man in my 50s who is 5-foot-6 and weighs 350 pounds. I was considering getting gastric bypass surgery, but now I see there is a new weight loss drug on the market called Belviq. Might this be an alternative to surgery for me?

Dr. Hibberd's answer:
The FDA approval for Belviq is specifically for use in adults with a BMI above 30 (considered obese), and for adults with a BMI of 27 or above if they also have at least one weight-related medical condition, such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol. The drug achieved only modest results in clinical studies, helping people lose on average about 5 percent of their body weight. The FDA-approved label says the drug should not be used for more than 12 weeks if a 5 percent weight loss does not occur. Known side effects of Belviq include depression, migraine, and memory lapses. The drug will be launched only in 2013.